How do I know what kind of ballast I have?

Asked by: Amanda Garcia

Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.

How do I know if I have a T8 or T12 ballast?

If no markings are available, the size in diameter of the tube is the easiest way to determine the type you have installed. T8 tubes are 1-inch in diameter and T12 tubes are 1 1/2 -inch.

How do I know which ballast to replace?

The only things that matter when you're replacing a ballast are we're number one the number of bulbs number two the type of bulbs number three the voltage.

How can you tell the difference between magnetic and electronic ballast?

Stand under the light or a place close to the light and point your cell phone camera at the light.

• If you can see some strong dark strips flickering in your camera, it must be a magnetic ballast based light.
• Otherwise it should be an electronic ballast based light.

What are the 4 ballast types?

Types of fluorescent ballasts

• Rapid start ballasts work kind of like preheating an oven. …
• Programmed start ballasts are typically paired with occupancy or motion sensors. …
• Probe start ballasts are the older type and not very easy on the HID lamp. …
• Pulse start ballasts don’t use a starting probe electrode.

How do I know if a ballast is compatible?

You can determine whether you have a compatible fixture in seconds. Simply turn the light on, then take a photo of the fixture using your smartphone or digital camera. If there are no dark bands on the resulting image, you have an electronic ballast that will work with direct drop-in LED tubes.

How do you read a ballast number?

The most common types are T12, T8, and T5. The T stands for tubular and the number indicates the diameter in 1/8 of an inch. Lamp diameter is determined by ballast type. A fixture with a T12 ballast must use a T12 bulb.

Are fluorescent light ballast standard?

THE STANDARD:



The 2000 rule effectively requires electronic ballasts for new T12 fluorescent fixtures manufactured after July 1, 2005 and effectively requires electronic ballasts for both new T12 fixtures and replacement T12 ballasts after July 1, 2010.

What voltage does a T8 ballast put out?

These ballasts deliver >550 open circuit volts when starting lamps and operate lamps at high frequencies which offers flicker-free operation and better lamp efficiencies.

Can a ballast shock you?

Old magnetic ballasts can shock installers of LED tube replacements if not deenergized first. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, IL, warned that installing double-ended direct replacement LED lamps in energized luminaires powered by magnetic 40W ballasts may pose a shock hazard.

What is yellow wire on ballast?

The common yellow wires connect from the ballast to push-in connectors on one of the right holders of lamp 1 or 2. Two yellow wires connect the common lampholders together.

How many wires are in a ballast?

Light Fixtures with Two Ballasts



The common wires of each ballast are connected to the other side of the fixture from each of the individual wires.